Trail In Discovery Bay

Our trail in Discovery Bay (Trapist) has recently been demolished by construction to build more houses, therefore we must travel long distances to reach nice trails. We have all the people to build it but we just need a leader and permission from HKR. Me and my friends are in love with biking and we really would appreciate some help.

Hi
Some years back, the Discovery Bay management team looked into the feasibility to ride in DB

Problems encountered then if i remember correctly was:

Lands outside of DB complex are private, and some are designated buriel plots
Most of the lands outside DB is managed by AFCD (previously the land was open land)

and nothing really has moved foward since.

Now considering their had been a trail on the site well before the3 AFCD and the new building was developed DB riders may have a legitimate claim to speak to DB management and the AFCD saying that due to new developments and change in land management policies an existing recreational bike trail has been lost, and ask/demand that this is rectified. make enough noise to the management, call their bluff stating people live in DB because of the community and proximity to trails and wilderness areas. Now these are rapidly diminished DB is becoming a less desirable place to live. And something may happen to get them on your side

Then it is a matter of doing the same with the land managers, but considering that the South Lantau proposal (which had millions of dollars at its disposal is no at a stand still then this will be a hard task.

ALTERNATIVELY, just go out their and dig (but officially HKMBA condones this approach!) tools such as picks and hoes are readilly available, trimmers are more difficult and pricey, but HKMBA does have some at their disposal to members

if you take this approach you will need to go out and recce the sight first and carefully plot the lines before digging commences

It has been disheartening to learn about the closure of MTB trails in Lantau but its great to learn that you guys are determined to reverse that trend. I am a passionate believer of taking care of your own backyard first and I wish there were 10 more groups like yours plotting new trails in their hoods.

First thing to note is that its not going to be easy to get your trail built legally. Digging trails is the fun and enjoyable task while lobbying the authorities is going to drive you nuts and be where most of the work lies. Having at least 30 riders behind you is a good start so make best use of their varied professional skills and go about this task in a very organised and professional manner.

Get your team organised. Use social networking tools like Facebook to set up both public and secret groups so you can spread your plans and get people on your side. Use the secret group to keep your core team communicating while you shape your plans and proposal.

You must approach the land manager(s) with a very well thought out proposal that links their values with yours. MTB trails presents an opportunity to diversify the recreational and commercial opportunities in DB. It will attract new residents who prefer trail sports over those on manicured lawns. This will undoubtably mean that rents and property values will go up. Developers like that kind of talk. Plus trails are a lot cheaper to build and maintain than swimming pools and golf courses and developers will like that too.

In preparing your proposal I would also try to engage an MTB Trail specialist. (HM Lim from Dirtraction in Singapore frequents HK and would be a an excellent resource on that front). Get the specialist to scout the area in question and suggest a proposed trail alignment. MTB trail design utilizes very environmentally sound principals and the goal is to respect the environment while building a sustainable trail that meets your riding/recreational requirements. The specialist will help you estimate costs for the project.

Its also important to get as many local authorities and groups on your side. Present your plans to your district councillor, local hiking or running groups (i.e., a shared use trail), and neighboring land managers (i.e, Lands Dept, AFCD). You may get lucky to find private land owners who are willing to let you build this trail on their land?

Get creative and propose a package of ideas that link in other kinds of cycling audiences. Pump tracks are fun and so are BMX courses. If its possible, ask for a an XC loop around the permitter of the golf course. This could have lights for night riding and serve as a training or racing course. HKR may be interested adding a few of these features to jazz up its recreational portfolio. Again you have to point out how these will improve its bottom line!

Also make use of the resources available online (IMBA is a good site) and here at the HKMBA as we can assist your team as it moves forward in this battle.

As Nistrator or Bearded Blunder points out, HK is very complicated place, especially regarding land and land manager issues.

The AFCD in Lantau have historically thwarted efforts to get better MTB trail networks developed (The $10 million South Lantau MTB Feasibility study debacle is one example). They have implanted plans that were developed in the Revised Concept Plan for Lantau for hiking and expanding their park boundaries but apart from a very expensive study on MTB, nothing has really been down apart from polishing Chi Ma Wan. (
www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/english/panels/...0529cb1-1723-3-e.pdf
). Mountain biking is mentioned throughout this plan and ideas about expanding the network are mentioned but the net sum of MTB trails on Lantau has gone down since the plan was published(we lost Olympic Trail, Trappist Trail and natural surface trails along the coast).

Even WSD deserves to share the blame as the coastal trail from Mui Wo to Chi Ma Wan is now a mess of concrete blocks every 3m and stairs. Respecting the ambitions and spirit of the concept plan do not seem to have applied to this dept either. South Lantau is really that last natural and scenic jewel left in HK.

The MTB specialists initially proposed an amazing array of stacked loop MTB trails from Mui Wo and back offering something for everyone. These ideas were curtailed to a refit of Chi Ma Wan and an MTB skills park just outside Mui Wo. The reports have never been made public as they are supposed to be so all we can do is speculate that the reasons for not going forward with an expanded MTB network on Lantau are illogical.

But that was a few years ago and maybe the forces opposing MTB on Lantau have had a change of heart after seeing how effective and easy MTB trail development is in Tai Lam CP. Leverage that concept plan as best you can to force the authorities to honour its intent and spirit.

I honestly think what we need is organisation, like we have the man power but we need someone to guide us though, to help us find the right place and just to lead. I would if i could but i am only 13, so i may not be able to do so.

I'm thinking we could build a trail somewhere around the golf corse, I agree with Tom's Idea of building an XC trail circling around the golf course but that was where the old Trappist trail was and there is not any space as they built a horrible biking trail around the construction site. I personally don't mind weather or not the trail is DH or XC, as long as there is a trail but I prefer DH. An Idea i had for Dh was to just build a trail starting from the top of the golf course road and end at the bottom somewhere, people could just bike up it and do some great DH.

Im really passionate about biking and i really want to do something about this.

Hey Dylan,
Ive been following your post and situation on DB through other media and its a shame what has happened to the trail. Its great to hear you have a passion for the sport and at your age its admirable to see you wanting to fight the case.

Your riding group is a great start, get active if its emailing, writing letters or calling HKR. Let them know what you expect as a resident and a member of the community. Try and get other groups involved, maybe DB has residents committee or sports organisers you can get in touch with for advice or guidance. Have you checked with
www.lantaubuffalos.org/
. Maybe you can round up more help or advice from there.

In the meantime, look for alternative routes....can you go a coastal route to trapist and connect to trails that way? or try find a trail at the end near siena ave to get into country park? It might be a long struggle to get HKR to deliver so you need to find an alternative to keep you riding in the meantime.

You probably don't know this yet, but being "only 13" and being passionate about your chosen sport can work towards your advantage in this battle.

Sports development is meant to be targeted at youth as society seeks potential world champions and Olympians. And if the youth in Hong Kong who are passionate about pursuing a popular sport like DH are so poorly served then that reflects very poorly on the govt and the developer. Neither of them want to be seen in a bad light especially as it pertains to youth and sport.

Since you are still a minor, you should check with your parents or guardians to see if they are happy to support you in your fight for legal MTB trails near DB. With their support you can surely make an impact.